A New Jersey jury rejected claims that Merck & Co.'s Fosamax (alendronate) caused a Pennsylvania woman's jaw and dental problems in the first state court trial regarding the osteoporosis drug, the company announced Monday.

 

 

In its decision, the jury voted 9 to 1 against a question of whether it was more likely than not that the claimant had the condition she alleged. "We believe the evidence showed the company acted properly, and that Fosamax did not cause the plaintiff’s dental and jaw problems," remarked Merck's outside counsel Christy Jones. "The plaintiff had medical conditions that can cause people to develop jaw and dental problems, regardless of whether they were taking Fosamax," Jones added.

 

 

Merck disclosed in September that it faces approximately 1180 federal and state lawsuits in the US related to Fosamax. The drugmaker previously won two of three cases that went to a verdict in a Manhattan federal court, including a ruling in November last year. A third verdict that went against the company is being appealed.

 

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